Mercy Medical Center Dr. Supneet Saluja is Rooks' physician. She said pre-diabetics and diabetics should be wary of studies that say blood sugar can be lowered with natural remedies alone.

"Studies have shown that they may or may not be effective," Saluja said. "We don't have a lot of clinical data to prescribe it, that's why they're over the counter. But it always works in conjunction with your dietary and lifestyle changes."

Saluja said those lifestyle changes include two basic things: eat a healthy, low complex-carbohydrate diet and exercise."Fiber-rich food. Physical activity on a regular basis. These two have been shown to be most effective in preventing progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes," Saluja said.

Saluja said patients should never substitute supplements for prescription medications without talking with your doctor.

Rooks said she would love to be off insulin someday, but for now is grateful to be alive and feeling well.

"One thing is for sure, it's taught me that if I want to make it passed 35 I'm going to have to take more care of myself," Rooks said.